Camp Wrap: Question marks still abound as season nears

Walk-on Greg Huegel has been the best kicker until taking a step back in the last scrimmage.

The Clemson football team will assume a little more of a normal routine now that the camp portion of preseason practice schedule is over, and that means we can take a look at what we’ve learned over the past couple of weeks.

The students began classes on Wednesday, the team will hold a scrimmage Thursday and then begin their Wofford preparations. That doesn’t mean, however, that this team is ready to roll into its first game. There are still jobs up for grabs, questions to be answered and the Tigers need for certain players to get healthy in a hurry.

With that in mind, here are some quick observations of the team as a whole, including special teams.

Let’s start with the question marks, and we will follow that up with another story with the good we’ve seen.

*Is this team a national championship contender? This is where I could be a homer and charge up the masses and tell you that this squad will go undefeated and play for a national title. But I hope you want me to be objective and tell you the truth, and the truth is that this team has some holes and that an undefeated season is a longshot. It’s a longshot anyway, even if you’re Alabama or Ohio St. or Oregon, but there are enough holes that I can’t see it happening.

One of those holes is special teams, and my guess is that special teams play will cost this team a game this season. At kickoff, I’m not sure the Tigers have anyone that can consistently boot the ball through the back of the endzone. That means shorter kicks and more returns and better field position in certain situations. The loss of Bradley PinionBradley PinionPunter (2012 - 2014)#92 6-6, 230Concord, NCView Full Profile hurts here. It hurts a lot.

On field goals, I thought there were concerns even if Ammon LakipAmmon LakipRS Sr. Punter / Kicker#36 5-11, 200Alpharetta, GAView Full Profile hadn’t messed up and earned a suspension. Several field goals were blocked during the spring and that was with Lakip on the field. During the past few weeks, we’ve seen a lot of low line drives and inconsistency as Greg HuegelGreg HuegelFr. Punter / Kicker#92 5-11, 180Blythewood, SCView Full Profile, Alex SpenceAlex SpenceRS Fr. Kicker#47 6-2, 190Florence, SCView Full Profile and Christian GroomesChristian GroomesRS Fr. Punter / Kicker#39 5-9, 190Central, SCView Full Profile battle for the top spot. What you want to see is that one guy just take charge and be so good it makes the decision a no-brainer. No one has done that. If the Tigers need a 44-yarder to win a game at Louisville or at home two weeks later against Notre Dame, do you like your chances?

We’ve also watched the punters during practice, and Pinion will be missed here as well. Pinion had the ability to flip the field on any kick, and he had 28 punts inside the 20 with only two touchbacks last season. Andy TeasdallAndy TeasdallRS Jr. Punter#32 5-11, 185Winston-Salem, NCView Full Profile will do a good job, but he doesn’t have Pinion’s leg and we haven’t really seen anyone that has that touch to place it consistently inside the 20.

*Offensive line depth: Mitch HyattMitch HyattFr. Offensive Line#75 6-6, 270Sugar Hill, GAView Full Profile is going to be really, really good. Jake FruhmorgenJake FruhmorgenFr. Offensive Line#63 6-5, 285Tampa, FLView Full Profile is going to be really, really good. But how good can they be this season? I go back to what Brad ScottBrad ScottAssistant Athletic DirectorView Full Profile used to tell me – it takes three years for an offensive lineman to really “get it.” The Tigers don’t have the luxury of time with a lot of youngsters this season.

At right tackle, Joe GoreJoe GoreRS Sr. Offensive Tackle#73 6-5, 290Lake Waccamaw, NCView Full Profile has been the model of inconsistency. Tyrone CrowderTyrone CrowderRS So. Offensive Guard#55 6-2, 330Marston, NCView Full Profile has been inconsistent. Eric Mac LainEric Mac LainRS Sr. Offensive Tackle#78 6-4, 305Hope Mills, NCView Full Profile has one start in his career. This group has to be better than average because they protect Deshaun WatsonDeshaun WatsonSo. Quarterback#4 6-2, 205Gainesville, GAView Full Profile. Can they be better than average from the outset? They need to be.